UFC 221: Romero vs Rockhold Betting Odds and Predictions

The UFC heads to Australia for the very first time this season when it sets up shop in Perth for UFC 221. Although the card is far from the sexiest you’ll notice, there are still plenty of persuasive bouts to keep diehard fans intrigued.
The main event features Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold facing away. This bout was for the interim middleweight crown but after Romero failed to make weight, the name will only be on the line for Rockhold. The remaining portion of the card is filled with plenty of hometown talent that will look to find the audience in Perth eager for their first event .
Yoel Romero vs Luke Rockhold
Romero (+120) is an athletic freak. Regardless of being 40 years old,”The Soldier of God” has more speed, ability and athleticism than fighters half his age. This is Romero game’s base. At the striking phase, the Cuban just floats and waits for his moment to burst into strikes. It works exactly the same because of his wrestling. Romero is an Olympic wrestler and relies on that skill set over any other but he still prefers to land takedowns with explosiveness instead of grinding it out.
Romero has a gas tank. He is individual in the Octagon because he burns off his cardio extremely quickly. You can see him clearly breathing after a significant explosion of motion. That is why his whole game is built around controlled proportions of energy resulting in controlling his opponent.
Not to be outdone, Rockhold (-150) is more athletically gifted than 95 percent of the fighters in the UFC. The former champion is powerful and fast but uses his natural size benefit better than many in the division, whether that’s working from range supporting his left body and hook kick or controlling the leverage battle from the clinch. Offensively wrestling isn’t something Rockhold focuses on — unless working from the clinch — he is one of the craftier submission fighters in the division.
There are holes in Rockhold’s game. The only minor flaw which sticks out is that his tendency to rely on particular strikes on the toes. He can rely too much on his left hook and body kick, telegraphing and giving a opportunity to get countered.
Romero is very harmful as they come but his cardio is not really there to compete with Rockhold. “The Soldier of God” can always land a KO shot — he’s demonstrated that — but Rockhold’s clinch work will wear Romero down.